Researching documents left by "common" readers, contributors suggest that American literature was experienced in a way not previously revealed by examinations of literary criticism. Ryan (English, U. of Missouri in Kansas City) and Thomas (English, Montana State U.) present 11 essays that discuss the act of reading as related to women's agency, "ordinary" critics of the critics, class and consumption, and societal reaction to single-parenthood. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Thomas De Quincey (1785-1859) is considered one of the most important English prose writers of the early-19th century. This is the second part of a 21-volume set presenting De Quincey's work, also including previously unpublished material.